Tingley Beach

Tingley Beach Station

Tingley Beach in Albuquerque is a recreation area open year round. Located in the heart of the city near the Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanic Gardens, it provides visitors with a place to walk, fish, hike, bicycle or boat. Its proximity to the Rio Grande and the bosque make it a wonderful place to relax.

The station house is a stop along the way for the BioPark train, the Rio Line. Its ponds are well stocked and provide a place for kids of all ages to go fishing.

Tingley Beach is open year round from sunup to sundown. Inside the Station House, you'll find the Tingley Beach Cafe, which provides a quick bite and refreshments. There are also arcade games and public amenities.

Tingley Beach Station Train Platform

The BioPark's train, the Rio Line, runs from the Zoo to the Botanic Gardens and Aquarium. Along the way, it stops at Tingley Beach station. The entire narrow guage train line is 1.5 miles long and travels along the Rio Grande bosque.

Train rides on the Rio Line come with the BioPark combo ticket. The ticket includes admission to the Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Gardens, and unlimited rides on the train between those facilities.

Trains run 10:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. There is no Monday service except for Memorial Day and Labor Day.Trains are wheelchair accessible.Trains operate on 60 minute intervals. Riding from the Aquarium to the Zoo takes approximately 30 minutes. Trains depart each hour, departing at 15 minutes after the hour from the Aquarium/Botanic Garden and from the Zoo at 45 minutes past the hour.

Rio Line runs more frequently in the spring, summer and fall.

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Go Fishing

Tingley Beach's main recreational pastime is fishing. There are three ponds which are regularly stocked with catfish and trout. All anglers 12 years and older must have a current fishing license. Licesnces can be purchased online with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Licenses can be purchased for one day, five days or the year.

The largest pond, Central Pond, allows bait and lures. The Catch and Release Pond is a favorite with fly fishers. The Children's Pond allows those younger than 13 to fish their fill.

Central Pond

The bait and lure pond is the largest and is designed for use by all ages. In the winter it is stocked with rainbow trout, and in summer, catfish. A fitness course and walking paths surround the pond. Anglers are allowed four trout per day and two catfish per day. Live worms, insects and artificial bait can all be used here.

Catch and Release Pond

At the southernmost pond, anglers can use flies and lures with single barbless hooks. No live or artificial...MORE bait can be used here.

Children's Pond

Children under 13 can fish at the pond, which is stocked with rainbow trout in winter and catfish in summer. Bag limits are four trout per day and two catfish per day. Live worms, insects and artificial bait can be used in this pond.

The Bait Shop inside Tingley Station carries all the equipment you need to go fishing.

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Stay to Picnic

Tingley Beach is made for fishing. If you spend the day there, take a picnic lunch. There are plenty of tables along the ponds, and if no tables are available, there are grassy areas beneath the trees where it's easy to spread out with a blanket or two.

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Pedal Boating

Recreational opportunities abound at Tingley Beach. There are walking paths, hiking paths, fishing, biking, and pedal boats for rent. Two and four seat boats can be rented on the Central Pond from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Boat rental payment is in the Tingley Beach Cafe.

Cost

A credit card is needed to rent boats.Two seat boats are $8 per half hour or $12 per hour.Four seat boats are $10 per half hour or $14 per hour.

Clyde and Carrie Tingley

Tingley Beach is named after Clyde and Carrie Tingley. Clyde Tingley was a city commissioner for Albuquerque and served twice as New Mexico governor. Carrie Tingley instituted a children's hospital, Carrie Tingley Hospital, which continues to care for children to this day. They both worked to make New Mexico a better place in which to live. Clyde Tingley created the first Tingley Beach in the 1930s.